Pets Are Hard Work, No Bones About it

‘Twas the night before puppy, and all through the house, there was talk of a new pet, no worries quite yet. The rooms were all tidy, there was time to relax, so we watched some TV with our drinks and our snacks.

Our family was nestled all snug in our beds, while visions of dog treats danced in our heads. All we could dream of were leashes and bones, we just couldn’t wait for a dog of our own.

The very next morning we jumped in the car to get our new puppy, our new shining star. The second we saw her we were happy as could be, she was nothing short of perfect, as far as we could see.

But soon after we were home, our smiles stated to fade, for she hated the leash and she was not potty-trained. No longer did we have time to sit back and take breaks; our time was now spent cleaning up puppy’s mistakes.

Sometimes we get frustrated and want to scream, but it’s those very times we must think of our dreams. She’s still a puppy but some day real soon, our struggles and frustration will be a lampoon.”

But, before you go get yourself a new dog or cat, here is some advice you should take a look at:

Photo by Kendall O'Brien

1. Research first: While getting a pet seems like all fun and games, owning a pet comes with incredible responsibility. There are many questions you need to ask yourself before bringing home your forever friend. Does it shed? Does it bark/meow? Does it need lots of exercise? How big will it get? These are just a few of the questions you need to have answers to before you get a pet.

2. Pet-proof the house: Animals like to chew on your furniture and urinate on your carpet. If you’re thinking about getting a new pet, do not renovate your home. Your home will definitely undergo a beating. If this is a problem, you may need to reconsider.

3. Think money: There’s pet food, pet bowls, leashes, collars, and vet appointments. Animals are expensive, there’s no way around it. Be sure you have proper funding to pay for your new animal. The Internet is a great place to start for pricing research.

4. Don’t give up: Potty training is hard work, believe me. Sometimes, your new pet has never been leash-trained or used a litter box. Give her time to learn and understand how you want her to behave. With constant praise and supervision, she will get the hang of it. Don’t get angry, and most of all, don’t get mean.

Pets will be fun, but they’re also hard work. Don’t get frustrated and remember the perks!